India will begin their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka on Saturday, August 15, in Galle, with valuable World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake. With less than a year left before the WTC final, Shubman Gill‘s team needs a series win to strengthen its chances of qualifying.India are currently fifth in the WTC standings with a points percentage of 48.15, while Sri Lanka are sixth with 41.67. Both teams are still within reach of fourth-placed Bangladesh, who have a points percentage of 58.33.However, Bangladesh face a difficult schedule ahead. They will host the West Indies before travelling to Australia for a challenging Test series.
What happens if India win the Sri Lanka series?
India can win the series either 1-0 or 2-0.If India win one Test and draw the other, they will collect 16 points from the series. That will take their total to 68 points and improve their points percentage to 51.51.Sri Lanka’s points percentage, in that case, will drop to 33.33.If India complete a 2-0 clean sweep, they will earn the maximum 24 points. Their total will rise to 76 points after 11 Tests, and their points percentage will improve to 57.58.For Sri Lanka, a home whitewash would reduce their points percentage to 27.78. They would remain just ahead of seventh-placed England.England currently have four wins from 13 Tests and a points percentage of 24.36.A series win will help India strengthen their hold on fifth place. They could also move above Bangladesh into fourth if Bangladesh lose their upcoming series against Australia.Even with a 2-0 win over Sri Lanka, India cannot move into the top three, with New Zealand currently third on 72.22 points percentage.
